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Lakeshore Humane Societys 22nd Giant Yard Sale and Gowanda Theaters The Last Five Years Bring Local Community Together
The Lakeshore Humane Society will host its 22nd annual Giant Yard Sale on Friday, August 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., while Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater will stage a professional production of Jason Robert Brown’s musical The Last Five Years over the next two weekends. Both events aim to engage residents of Western New York and Southern Tier communities in charitable and cultural activities.
The Lakeshore Humane Society, a 501(c)(3) non‑profit open‑admission animal shelter serving Manitowoc County for more than 45 years, has announced the yard sale as a fundraiser for its operations. The sale will take place at the Humane Society’s premises and is scheduled for a single day on August 14. Attendees can browse a variety of donated items, with the proceeds supporting the shelter’s care of dogs, cats, and small animals. The event is part of the society’s ongoing effort to secure community support for its mission of humane animal care.
In parallel, Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, located at 39 W. Main St. and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will present The Last Five Years for two consecutive weekends. Saturday night performances begin at 7 p.m., followed by Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The run concludes on Sunday, July 26. Tickets are priced at $5 and can be purchased online or at the theater box office.
The production features local talent, including Kimberly Merrill, a Gowanda High School alumna and two‑time graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and Brandon Mecklenburg, a Hamburg High School graduate with voice training from SUNY Fredonia and Florida State University. The musical’s score is performed by a live pit orchestra led by Jim Welch, who has previously worked with composer Jason Robert Brown.
Funding for the theater’s production comes from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant initiative of the New York State Council on the Arts that receives support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The program is administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. The grant enables the theater to offer a professional‑caliber show at an affordable price, aligning with its mission to provide world‑class arts experiences to the Greater Western New York region.
The Hollywood Theater’s restoration is ongoing, and the theater’s programming is part of a broader effort to revitalize the cultural landscape of Gowanda and surrounding communities. The venue’s commitment to accessible, high‑quality performances is highlighted by the inclusion of The Last Five Years, a 90‑minute Broadway‑level musical that explores a five‑year relationship through a unique storytelling structure.
Both events illustrate how local organizations are leveraging community resources to support charitable causes and cultural enrichment. The Lakeshore Humane Society’s yard sale provides a practical avenue for residents to contribute to animal welfare, while Gowanda’s theater offers an affordable entry point to professional theater, showcasing regional talent and fostering cultural engagement.
The two events are scheduled to run concurrently in the summer months, offering residents a range of options for community involvement. The yard sale’s single‑day format and the theater’s two‑weekend run provide complementary opportunities for local participation, whether through shopping, supporting animal care, or attending a professionally staged musical.
As the summer progresses, both the Lakeshore Humane Society and Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater will continue to serve as hubs for community activity. The yard sale’s proceeds will support the Humane Society’s ongoing animal care programs, while the theater’s production will conclude on July 26, after which the venue will resume its regular programming and restoration efforts.
The events underscore the importance of local initiatives in sustaining nonprofit operations and cultural institutions. By combining charitable fundraising with accessible arts programming, the Lakeshore Humane Society and Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater demonstrate how community engagement can be both meaningful and enjoyable.
The Lakeshore Humane Society, a 501(c)(3) non‑profit open‑admission animal shelter serving Manitowoc County for more than 45 years, has announced the yard sale as a fundraiser for its operations. The sale will take place at the Humane Society’s premises and is scheduled for a single day on August 14. Attendees can browse a variety of donated items, with the proceeds supporting the shelter’s care of dogs, cats, and small animals. The event is part of the society’s ongoing effort to secure community support for its mission of humane animal care.
In parallel, Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater, located at 39 W. Main St. and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will present The Last Five Years for two consecutive weekends. Saturday night performances begin at 7 p.m., followed by Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. The run concludes on Sunday, July 26. Tickets are priced at $5 and can be purchased online or at the theater box office.
The production features local talent, including Kimberly Merrill, a Gowanda High School alumna and two‑time graduate of the Eastman School of Music, and Brandon Mecklenburg, a Hamburg High School graduate with voice training from SUNY Fredonia and Florida State University. The musical’s score is performed by a live pit orchestra led by Jim Welch, who has previously worked with composer Jason Robert Brown.
Funding for the theater’s production comes from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant initiative of the New York State Council on the Arts that receives support from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. The program is administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. The grant enables the theater to offer a professional‑caliber show at an affordable price, aligning with its mission to provide world‑class arts experiences to the Greater Western New York region.
The Hollywood Theater’s restoration is ongoing, and the theater’s programming is part of a broader effort to revitalize the cultural landscape of Gowanda and surrounding communities. The venue’s commitment to accessible, high‑quality performances is highlighted by the inclusion of The Last Five Years, a 90‑minute Broadway‑level musical that explores a five‑year relationship through a unique storytelling structure.
Both events illustrate how local organizations are leveraging community resources to support charitable causes and cultural enrichment. The Lakeshore Humane Society’s yard sale provides a practical avenue for residents to contribute to animal welfare, while Gowanda’s theater offers an affordable entry point to professional theater, showcasing regional talent and fostering cultural engagement.
The two events are scheduled to run concurrently in the summer months, offering residents a range of options for community involvement. The yard sale’s single‑day format and the theater’s two‑weekend run provide complementary opportunities for local participation, whether through shopping, supporting animal care, or attending a professionally staged musical.
As the summer progresses, both the Lakeshore Humane Society and Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater will continue to serve as hubs for community activity. The yard sale’s proceeds will support the Humane Society’s ongoing animal care programs, while the theater’s production will conclude on July 26, after which the venue will resume its regular programming and restoration efforts.
The events underscore the importance of local initiatives in sustaining nonprofit operations and cultural institutions. By combining charitable fundraising with accessible arts programming, the Lakeshore Humane Society and Gowanda’s Historic Hollywood Theater demonstrate how community engagement can be both meaningful and enjoyable.
